Predators Prospect Update (Mar. 27)

The CHL leagues have started their post-season and all three Preds prospects are still in action. Out West, Jonathon Blum and Vancouver swept its first round series 4-0 over Prince George, with Blum recording a point in all four games to finish the series with two goals and four assists. Chet Pickard returned from a late-season injury to start the playoffs in net for Tri-City. After allowing five goals in the first game and three power-play goals in Game 2, Pickard's first games in three weeks, he settled in during Game 3, stopping 26-of-28 shots to backstop the Americans to 4-2 win and a 2-1 series lead.

In the Ontario Hockey League, goaltender Jeremy Smith has continued his late season revival. Smith, traded to Niagara in the middle of the season, has backstopped the No. 6 Ice Dogs to a two games to one lead over No. 3 seed Ottawa in their first round series, despite finishing the regular season with 24 fewer points than Ottawa.

The NCAA Tournament starts up this week with four Preds prospects participating in ice hockey's version of March Maddness. Colin Wilson and BU earned the tournament's No. 1 overall seed and face Ohio State with fellow Preds '08 draftee Taylor Stefishen in the first round of the Northeast Regional (March 28, 4:30 pm CT, ESPN2). Ben Ryan and Ryan Thang helped Notre Dame to a No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region and the tournament's No. 2 overall seed (March 28, 6:30 pm CT, ESPN Classic).